The South Korean men’s and women’s national basketball teams secured a historic double-gold finish at the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games on Feb. 26, 2026, repeating their joint championship feat from the 2014 Incheon Games 12 years prior. The women’s team captured the gold medal by defeating host nation Japan 75-70 in a tense final at the Aichi International Arena in Nagoya, overcoming significant roster absences to triumph on foreign soil.
Overcoming Roster Gaps and Seven-Game Skids
Entering the tournament, the South Korean women’s squad faced stiff hurdles. The team played without core center Park Ji-su of Cheongju KB Starz and WNBA-experienced guard Park Ji-hyun of the Los Angeles Sparks. Compounding the challenge, the roster had to contend with a towering Chinese side featuring 220-centimeter center Zhang Ziyu, alongside a Japanese host team that carried a seven-game win streak against South Korea in recent matchups. Park Soo-ho’s squad cleared the hurdle against China in the semifinals before dispatching Japan in the tournament’s final showdown.
Fast Starts and a Nail-Biting Finish
South Korea seized early momentum in the championship game. After falling behind 3-2 in the opening quarter, the visitors unleashed a 13-0 run. Lee Hae-ran of Yongin Samsung Life Blooming led the charge with 11 points in the first quarter alone, building a 27-15 advantage. By halftime, the lead swelled to 19 points at 42-23, aided by perimeter shooting from Kang Lee-seul of Asan Ouri Bank and a deep three-pointer from Lee So-hee of Busan BNK.
Japan responded aggressively after the break. Kang Lee-seul tallied 12 points in the third quarter—including two shots from beyond the arc—to stabilize South Korea, but Japan’s fourth-quarter surge narrowed the gap to 66-62 with 6 minutes and 27 seconds remaining. The lead shrank further to 70-66 with 2 minutes and 15 seconds left. With 16.6 seconds remaining, Japan converted two free throws followed by a close-range basket, cutting the deficit to 72-70 with 15 seconds on the clock. Kang Lee-seul secured the victory by sinking two free throws with 14 seconds left and successfully defending Japan’s final possession.
Standout Performances Propel the Podium Finish
Lee Hae-ran paced South Korea with 24 points and nine rebounds, while Kang Lee-seul added 21 points and seven rebounds. Lee So-hee contributed 16 points, six rebounds, and four assists. For Kang Lee-seul, the gold medal marked the completion of an Asian Games medal collection, having won silver with the inter-Korean unified team at the 2018 Jakarta-Palembang Games and bronze at the 2022 Hangzhou Games.
Speaking to reporters in the mixed zone after the match, Kang Lee-seul noted the depth of her teammates’ contributions in the absence of Park Ji-su and Park Ji-hyun. She credited younger players like Lee Hae-ran and Lee So-hee alongside center Jin An for anchoring the paint under difficult circumstances, describing the victory as a turning point for the future growth of South Korean women’s basketball.
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